Bringing Visibility and Accuracy to Textbook Allocation in Public Schools

Kenya’s Ministry of Education is developing a software to track textbooks after facing delays from contracted publishers. According to a Business Daily report, the ministry is working with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to build a “trace‑and‑track” system that serializes each textbook.

With GS1 standards, every textbook could be given a Global Trade Item Number, giving it a unique identity. A two‑dimensional barcode printed into each book would carry that number plus batch details, printer information, and print date. The Global Location Number would map every warehouse, distribution center and school. This traceability means that at any one time, the ministry would know exactly where every book is and in the case of over‑ or under‑supply, it can quickly reallocate. This system would help eliminate the textbook cartels that have plagued distribution, improved transparency and ensure that every child receives their copy.